Driver's license change to include illegal immigrants

A new policy will give New Yorkers the opportunity to apply for state driver's licenses without regard to immigration status, Gov. Eliot Spitzer and Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner David Swarts announced during a press conference today.

Tied to the change are new anti-fraud measures to increase the security of the licensing system as a new population of New Yorkers comes into the system.

According to DMV estimates, tens of thousands of undocumented, unlicensed and uninsured drivers are currently on New York roads, contributing to increased accidents and hit-and-runs as well as higher auto insurance rates.

In addition, bringing more New Yorkers into the system will ensure a greater number of people have a license record that, if necessary, can be used to enhance law enforcement efforts, the DMV believes

"I applaud the DMV and Commissioner Swarts for making this commonsense change that deals practically with the reality that hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants live among us and that allowing them the opportunity to obtain driver licenses in a responsible and secure manner will help increase public safety," said Spitzer said in a press release.

State law requires license applicants to prove their identity, date of birth and fitness to drive, and to provide a social security number (SSN).

The SSN requirement was added in 1995 as part of an effort to punish parents who were not paying child support. In 2002, a state regulation was adopted to allow applicants who are ineligible for a SSN to also apply for driver's licenses. Following this step, the DMV then issued an administrative policy that effectively made it impossible for illegal immigrants to obtain driver licenses by stipulating that the only way to define "ineligibility" would be through obtaining a formal letter of ineligibility from the Social Security Administration, a letter that is only obtainable by individuals who have legal immigration status.

The anti-fraud measures will utilize new state-of-the-art document verification technology, including photograph comparison tools and specially-trained staff with expertise in foreign-sourced identity documents, and a proposal to implement a residency requirement for all state license holders.